On Saturday Erin and I headed to Orlando for a house warming/Christmas party. However the engine in Erin’s car had other plans. We had the car in the shop last month for the same issue and Volkswagen said after 8 days of work it was fixed. So we had to cut our trip short. The car was nursed down to the dealership on Sunday and awaits a miracle. Its not our car, its God’s car and we are merely stewards. So we will see, right now Volkswagen is trying to weseal their way out of fixing it.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday. What a day. Pastor Wayne taught an awesome message for our current “Reach”. He laid out a great plan for investing in relationships and pouring into to other people. Check it out at www.crosspointlive.com. My lovely wife Erin shared about what is going on in Crosspoint Kids (our children’s minsitry) and God is changing lives and growing disciples in our kids.

Also the Christmas offering is almost at $10,000. Go God. I believe it will reach halfway before Sunday. Our goal is $25,000 if you haven’t given yet you need too, don’t miss out out changes live in this county, nation and world through the ministries we are partnering with through this offering. You can give here.

We had a number of people step up and serve because we were short handed with some volunteer no shows. Way to go Crosspoint servants. You made life-change possible because you were willing to serve. We also had several people step to become volunteers. There is nothing more rewarding then serving.

Here are few other highlights…

*2 people accepted Christ. AWESOME!!!! Bring the total for 2009 to 102 people folloing Christ this year through the ministry of Crosspoint Church.

*2 people recommitted their lives to Christ. That brings the total for 2009 to 208. Wow, God is great.

*Did I mention the Christmas Offering is only $200 away from $10,000. I am so pumped about that. In the worst economic time in our nation people are still obediently tithing and then sacrificially giving abov and beyond. We God’s people are faithful with their finances, God blows the doors off heaven to pour out blessing, no really check it out Malachi 3:10.

* Christmas Eve is only 10 days away, we will have room for 1000 people. Who are you bringing?

Sunday night was our Small Group Leader’s Christmas Party. Pastor Brad assembled a fantastic group of leaders for this past semester and the next semester crop looks ready to lead. I was truly blown away by all God did in our small groups! The stories of life-change were overwhelming.

Every year we have the privilege to celebrate Christmas. It is a time to be with family, to exchange gifts, to share a meal and prepare to usher in a new year.

But before we do that let me encourage you to do four things to make an impact this Christmas.

• Give a “Christmas Eve Invite Card (5:30pm and 7pm)” to everyone you purchase something from, office friends, neighbors, family members.
• Be apart of the Christmas Gift Wrap on Saturday Dec. 19. It’s a chance to serve our community and let then know the greatest gift this Christmas was free. Sign up in the lobby on Sunday.
• Take a few hours on Dec. 20 to serve dinner to needy families and homeless in Hernando County with Love your Neighbor. Sign up in the lobby on Sunday.
• Give generously to the Christmas Offering. This money will be used for church starts, a clean water for a village, Native American outreach, local outreach and our children’s ministry.

First, for our church…

At Crosspoint every  December we take up a special Christmas offering that is above and beyond our regular giving. This offering usually goes to help set up the new year with either funds for new intiatives, events or staffing needs so we can make a big impact. Last year we were able to get some very necessary equipment for expanding our worship space and adding another children’s room.

This year we feel led to use only a small portion for our children’s ministry and to use the other 80% to help set five other ministries national and international up for a big impact in 2010. We are going to build a well in Africa for a village, support a native American ministry to teens on the reservation in Washington state. We are helping a church start in Michigan, and supporting a new church in Ocala, FL. And here in hernando county we are helping out Love Your Neighbor an organization that feeds the needy, clothes the naked and ministers to the homeless in our community.

I am so excited to be able to help those ministries and to help them this December by giving to the Christmas Offering so they can be set up for maximum imp;act in January. For Erin and I, it is an opportunity for us to give our best gift to God this Christmas.

We also focus in very intentional on Christmas Eve. We have found that is one of the greatest days to invite friends, neighbors and family members to church. We make a huge push to connect and serve our community and then invite them to share in our Christmas Eve worship services. It is a chance to share the reason of Christmas with love, grace and compassion and to offer hope to all for a truly divine new life in the new year. Starting this week we are adding 100 more seats to each service and 200 more for our Christmas Eve services. We are making room for people.

So that is what we as a church a doing in December to to fuel a great January.

Secondly, for me personally…

Every January is a big deal for Crosspoint as we kick off a new year, new series, new small group semester and try to connect with people as they are longing for the new year to be better then the last. Because I need to me ready and energized to lead and serve in those areas, it is key that I finish December strong and end 2009 well and then rest.

The best way I have found to be ready for the new year is to make sure I did everything i was called to do this year. So i take sometime to look over my 2009 goals and see where do i need to step it up in order to hit them before years end. I also take some time to reflect on what we have done and how that turned out, it gives me perspective.

Lastly, I spend a few days resting. I need some time off. I can’t burn it at both ends and expect to have what it takes to get me through another year without a few days to recharge mentally, spiritually, emotionally and to focus on my family. I can accomplish a ton of stuff for the Kingdom of God, but I only have one wife and one daughter and they need me too. So, I end each year with a week with them. Resting, Playing, Enjoying what God blessed me with.

So that is is how I focus and work hard in December to fuel a great start in January.

Will you join me this December to set yourself  and Crosspoint up for the best year yet?